Holly Jones, a BBC reporter at London Bridge when the first incident happened, said a van had swerved off the road into a crowd of pedestrians.

"A white van driver came speeding - probably about 50mph - veered of the road into the crowds of people who were walking along the pavement," she told BBC News. People were thrown 20 feet into the air. One person reportedly jumped into the river to evade the attackers.

Within minutes there were reports of a second incident at Borough Market on the south bank of the Thames. One cab driver said three men ran towards the market stabbing people - including a young girl - as they ran.

An eyewitness on London Bridge, told the BBC he saw three men stabbing people indiscriminately, shouting "this is for Allah" in a "rampage".

Police entered bars and restaurants in the Southwark area around 11pm and told customers to get down on the floor amid reports that the incident was still ongoing. People outdoors were told by yelling police officers to run from the area as the atmosphere turned to one of “hysteria”.

Shortly before midnight police said they were attending a third incident in the Vauxhall area, but later said it was not connected.

We are aware of reports on social media. We will release facts when we can - our info must be accurate #LondonBridge

British Transport Police said they were aware of reports of “multiple” casualties.

Prime Minister Theresa May, who was understood to be at her Maidenhead constituency when she was alerted to the news, will chair a Cobra meeting first thing on Sunday morning.

People were evacuated from hotels Credit:
Jeff Moore

The attack comes less than a fortnight after the Manchester suicide bombing and just three months after a terrorist ploughed into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge before stabbing a policeman to death at Parliament.

US President Donald Trump offered assistance to Britain via Twitter. "Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the UK, we will be there - we are with you. God bless!".

Juncker and Modi send their thoughts and prayers

The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, tweeted: "Following latest London incidents with horror. Thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Please stay safe." Indian Prime Minisiter Narendra Modi called the attack "shocking" and "anguishing".

"We condemn them," he said. "My thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured."

More than 80 medics responded to the attacks

Islamic State had called for 'all-out war' on West at start of Ramadan after Manchester attack

Josie Ensor reported last week:

European security services are bracing for more attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, after Islamic State called on its followers to rise up in an “all-out war” on "infidels” in the West.

Saturday (May 27) marks the start of a 30-day period of fasting and reflection in the Islamic world, which has in recent years seen a large uptick in Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isil) terror attacks.

“Muslim brothers in Europe who can’t reach the Islamic State lands, attack them in their homes, their markets, their roads and their forums,” the jihadist group said in a message entitled Where are the lions of war? and published on YouTube.

Defending themselves after the suicide attack on Manchester Arena, which left 22 mostly children and teenagers dead, the group said: “Do not despise the work. Your targeting of the so-called innocents and civilians is beloved by us and the most effective, so go forth and may you get a great reward or martyrdom in Ramadan.”

There have been no claims of responsibility for the London terror attack.

'They could be anywhere, this is out of control'

Carrying her nine-year old daughter, Danny Farre, said: “This is a complete nightmare, we are stuck here while there are maniacs on the loose and nobody is helping us,” she told the New York Times. “They could be anywhere, this is out of control.”

Les Hunter, 33, from Liverpool, who was visiting a friend in London, stepped out of a pub as the incident unfolded at 10.15 pm

"We saw people running out of Borough Market and straight after heard gunshots,” he said.

“We went back into the pub and people starting running in telling us to get down and hide,” he recalled. “I ran up to the gents and hid, but when I looked out the window I saw a guy with blood all over his face and T-shirt.”​

Six confirmed dead in London attacks

Six people have died in the terrorist incidents in London and three attackers have been shot dead by police, Scotland Yard said.

Police said they believed there were no more than three attackers.

"Armed response officers then responded very quickly and bravely and confronted the three male suspects who were shot and killed on Borough Market," Mark Rowley, Britain's top anti-terrorism officer, said.

"Sadly, six people have died in addition to the three attackers shot by police," he said.

"The suspects had been confronted and shot by police within eight minutes of the first call. The suspects were wearing what looked like explosive vests but these were later established to be hoaxes."

He added: "We believe three people were involved but we still have some more inquiries to be 100% confident on that."

Trump and May speak on the phone

Security tightened in New York

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement on Saturday that he had directed state law-enforcement officials to increase security at high-profile locations such as airports, bridges, tunnels and mass-transit systems.

My heart goes out to the victims of the shocking incidents in London. NY stand with the people of Britain, as they've always done for us.

Amber Rudd: London attacks are horrific

This was an horrific attack in the heart of our capital city, targeted at people enjoying their evening with friends and family.

My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this incident.

As ever, in difficult and traumatic circumstances, I am extremely proud of and thankful to our police and emergency services who responded so swiftly and those who will work tirelessly as the investigation into this appalling act continues.

River Thames closure lifted

At least 20 injured

London Ambulance Service states it has taken at least 20 patients to six hospitals across London.

"We have taken at least 20 patients to six hospitals across London following the incident at London Bridge," the London Ambulance Service's assistant director of operations, Peter Rhodes, said in a statement on Sunday.

"We have also treated a number of people at the scene for less serious injuries," he added.

'All Americans stand in solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom'

The US State Department said America "condemns the cowardly attacks targeting innocent civilians in London this evening". Spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: "The United States stands ready to provide any assistance authorities in the United Kingdom may request.

"Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. We wish a full and quick recovery to those injured in the attacks.

"All Americans stand in solidarity with the people of the United Kingdom."

Australia's foreign minister Julie Bishop said: "We stand ready to support the British government as it responds to these attacks and our thoughts are with those injured and their families."

'Three men arrested'

Neal Tate said he saw two or three young men in their 20s being arrested in Borough High Street. He told reporters he was walking around the back of Guy's Hospital when he saw police cordons closing the streets off.

I found myself in an alleyway trying to get through to Borough High Street and then I found myself behind a civilian car with loads of police vans there.

Suddenly there was an arrest being made - two, maybe three guys being pushed up against the shutters of a shop.

The police were shouting at them and they were being very compliant.

The police to me looked like regular riot police. They didn't seem like the armed tactical group.

Diners locked into restaurants as they hide from attackers

Jacky Dixon, 72, was having dinner with her husband in Applebee's restaurant in Borough Market when a girl ran in shouting: "There's someone out there with a gun and a machete."

She said: "She was absolutely beside herself. I think she actually saved our lives because the manager just shouted 'run' and we all went upstairs as he locked the doors.

"There were around 35 of us, all the customers and staff. We were up there for about 90 minutes and there was a lot of noise outside and a lot of shooting.

Members of the public, wrapped in emergency blankets leave the scene of the terror attackCredit:
Chris J Ratcliffe /AFP

"There was a burst of gunfire and then a second long and very big burst.

"When someone said we could leave, we all had to file out with our hands on our heads.

"There were loads of police and two robots. I didn't want to look but the others said three people had been shot. I heard they were wearing some form of canisters and the robots were there to disarm them.

"The police just shouted 'go, go, go' and we just ran for ages. We didn't know what to do. You feel very vulnerable on the street."

Richard who was in Arabica Bar in the centre of Borough Market said: "They shut everyone in and told us to get down because there was an attack happening.

"Everyone panicked there were 32 people in restaurant. People were screaming. No kids in there but a pregnant woman was with us.

"People got down then there was an incident in another bar and lots of drunk people were panicking.

"I saw someone covered in blood holding a wound go past the window.

"People tried to get out of the fire escape of the restaurant but I said we should stay inside. Police fired guns, it sounded like ten shots close together an automatic style weapon.

"I thought there was more than one gun my friend thought one we are not sure

"Another sweep was done of the street by police more coming and going then third sweep then police came back to evacuate us. I went past some people who hadbeen badly injured and were being attended to by ambulances

"I think both of the injured people I saw were women. One was in a very bad way, she was face down being attending by paramedics.

"The other was holding her neck and walking away and there was blood everywhere."

“The Metropolitan Police are responding to the horrific terrorist attack at London Bridge and Borough Market.

“My thoughts are with everyone affected, and I'd like to thank the brave men and women of our emergency services who were first on the scene and will be working throughout the night.

“I am in close contact with the Met Commissioner and senior officers and am being kept updated on all developments. I will be attending the government's emergency Cobra meeting later this morning.

“London Bridge Station is closed and we are asking people to avoid the area.

“The situation is still unfolding and I would ask all Londoners and visitors to our city to remain calm and vigilant. Please report anything suspicious to the police, but only call 999 in an emergency.

“We don't yet know the full details, but this was a deliberate and cowardly attack on innocent Londoners and visitors to our city enjoying their Saturday night. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. There is no justification whatsoever for such barbaric acts.

“For further updates or information please follow the Metropolitan Police on Twitter.”

Emergency services rush to treat wounded

Alex Shellum, who was in the Mudlark pub with his girlfriend and two other friends, told the BBC: "At around 10pm a woman who appeared to be in her early 20s staggered into the blood bleeding heavily from the neck and her mouth.

"It appeared to myself and my friends that her throat had been cut.

Credit:
DANIEL SORABJI/AFP

"People went to her aid and the pub was shut.

"I could see to my left another individual outside the pub having CPR from the emergency services."

Credit:
CHRIS J RATCLIFFE/AFP

Redmond Shannon, journalist, tells the BBC that the violence was so extreme that witnesses he has spoken to are too traumatised to explain it.

One young man, he said, "told me that he saw a knife. He saw something happen which he said he couldn't articulate. He was extremely traumatised. He said if it had been two minutes later it would have been him."

People were evacuated from the scenes Credit:
Tolga Akmen/LNP

Twenty walking wounded are being treated at the Andaz Hotel near Liverpool Street Station.

How to let friends and family know you are safe

The feature allows users in the area to broadcast to their Facebook friends that they are safe, and for those concerned to check on their friends.

The Facebook page, titled "The Attack in London, United Kingdom", can be found here. People in the area can use it to "check in" as safe, and others can see which of their friends in the area have and have not checked in.

Lara Al Ostta told Sky News she had been offered a lift by a stranger.

"We saw people running. We got into the nearest car, somebody offered us a lift. We saw a body on the floor people around him," she said.

"We got to London Bridge, there were two pedestrians on the bridge

""We saw someone covered in blood. His shorts were covered in blood. I have never seen anything like it."

Quoting a further eye witness, Sky reported that an assailant came into a restaurant in Borough Market brandishing a foot long knife, there were four other assailants outside. Diners hurled chairs and bottles to force them back.

Families ushered to safety as local hotel is evacuated

Our reporter Victoria Ward reports from a pub just outside the Borough High St cordon which is packed full of families, some with young children still wearing their pyjamas, who were evacuated from the Premier Inn.

Arron Miles, with two daughters aged eight and 11, was in bed when the fire alarm. "We just thought it was an incident in the building but we got to the door, the streets were swarming with police. I've never heard so many sirens.

"We were ushered down the street and were outside for a while before someone called us into the pub."

Barman Nathan Williams said they were preparing to close after a quiet night when three young men in their 20s had burst in, shouting that there had been a terrorist attack at London Bridge.

"They were talking about people being shot and lying on the floor," he said.

"One of them was very pale and it took a long time to get him to sit down.

"We bolted the doors and stayed put but then we became aware of a huge number of people, including young children, out in the street so we got them all inside."

Theresa May: This is a 'potential act of terrorism'

Theresa May has said that the "terrible incident" in London is being treated as a "potential act of terrorism".

The Prime Minister said: 'Following updates from police and security officials, I can confirm that the terrible incident in London is being treated as a potential act of terrorism.

'This is a fast moving investigation. I want to express my huge gratitude to the police and emergency services who are on the scene. Our thoughts are with those who are caught up in these dreadful events.'

Witnesses at the scene have described quick the police response was. People in the area have been told to stay inside and lock the doors. They are urging people to remain calm as they deal with the ongoing incident.

Liam lives in flat above Southwark Tavern with fiancé Claudia and told Radio 5: "Out of nowhere we heard screams. The restaurant opposite had been completely smashed up and people were shouting 'he's down there he's down' there pointing down to Borough Market. We then heard five or six very loud gunshots.

"Then we heard in the Slug and Lettuce just across the road in the other direction another big bang and armed police ran in there."

Another witness said someone had been stabbed inside the Southwark Tavern.

"We saw him, he was covered in blood. He was knocking on an ambulance saying please help me I've been stabbed."

Theresa May to chair a Cobra meeting on Sunday morning

Theresa May will chair a Cobra meeting about tonight's incidents first thing on Sunday morning.

It is understood that the Prime Minister was in her Maidenhead constituency when she was alerted to the news. So-called Cobra meetings are named after Cabinet Office Briefing Room A, where crisis response meetings are held. They usually include the Prime Minister and senior cabinet ministers as well as intelligence and security officials.

Mrs May held two Cobra meetings in one day less than two weeks ago on the day of the Manchester bombing.

People near London Bridge were told to 'run as fast as they could'

Members of the public in the London Bridge area were told by police to "run as fast as they could" westbound, witnesses have told our reporters at the scene.

Giovaanni Caccabelo was leaving Monument with friends when they heard they saw the van mount the pavement and strike people.

Credit:
Ben Cawthra/LNP

He told the Telegraph: "I was actually outside the underground and I saw a white van drive into people. People were on the ground everywhere.

"The van was just mowing people down, everyone was screaming. People have been injured, they are trying to save their lives on the ground. The police made us get into a building and have put it on lockdown."

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, a group of TFL workers evacuated from Bank Station said that some "nutter" had gone "on a rampage on London Bridge".

Paul Henderson, a TFL worker, said: "We got asked to come up about five minutes ago. Apparently some nutter has gone on a rampage on London Bridge, and we were told that there's been stabbings on the high street."

People in bars told to get down

A man who was in a pub right by Borough Market said police rushed in and told everyone to get down.

He said: "We were on the floor for about 15 minutes while the police secured the pub, then we had to get down again a few minutes later.

"After 40 minutes they told everyone to get out. We were told to run so we legged it."

Video has emerged of police storming a bar.

Footage from the scene shows members of the public, mostly young and dressed for a night out, walking with their hands on their heads as they leave the Borough Market area under the supervision of police.

Holly Jones, a BBC reporter who was on London Bridge at the time of the incident, said she had seen a man in handcuffs being taken away from the scene.

She said a white transit van had knocked several pedestrians over, estimating five or six casualties injured or seriously injured.

"A white van driver came speeding - probably about 50mph - veered of the road into the crowds of people who were walking along the pavement," she told BBC News.

"He swerved right round me and then hit about five or six people. He hit about two people in front of me and then three behind.

I'd say there are about four severely injured people. They all have paramedics assisting them at the moment."

Chris Wimpress, who works for the BBC, described the aftermath as "pandemonium".

He went to the bridge after being told of an unfolding incident.

"I was told there was something major happening," he said. "As I walked down Southwark Street heading east, I started to see dozens of people running away, clearly distraught. Mostly young people, many of them in tears.

"Men walking in an almost zombified state, looking shocked

"It appears a van came down from the city into the London Bridge area."

He added that witnesses had told him there was a stabbing in the Southwark Tavern, while others heard at least 12 gunshots in the area.

Reports bomb disposal unit has arrived at London Bridge as injured being given CPR

Witness say they 'saw people being stabbed'

One woman said: "We were in London Bridge station. An announcement came on which said that due to an emergency the station was closing and to leave via the nearest exit.

"We left the station and crossed the road. There were lots of blue lights to our left on the bridge and to our right. "We crossed over to tooley street and then saw crowds of people running which created a sense of panic.

"We ended up walking towards the river with a crowd of people. A few people jumped the fence.

"We got to the river and walked down to Hayes galleria. There were helicopters and police boats on the river. We went into cote.

"There was a woman and her husband crying. They said a van had mowed people down on London Bridge and were stabbing and shooting people. They were both very upset."

"There was tremendous gunfire"

Tony Murphy, a former serviceman, heard the incident unfold from his nearby flat on Upper Thames Street. "There was tremendous gunfire. At first I thought it was fireworks, then I recognised it was significant gunfire"